London pub and dining group Urban Pubs & Bars has announced the opening of The Wren Tavern as a tribute to Sir Christopher Wren. The traditional London pub on Watling Street also features an exclusive whiskey lounge and a speakeasy cocktail bar called 5cc in the basement.
The Wren Tavern is now open Monday to Saturday for food and drink from 11am until midnight and 1am on Thursday and Friday.
A spokesperson for Urban Pubs & Bars said: “When Sir Christopher Wren designed St Paul’s Cathedral his plans were made on Watling Street, his workers lived, ate and spent their time on this street too. In a tribute to the man himself The Wren Tavern brings the best of traditions to a city pub environment.”
Urban Pubs and Bars’ opening of The Wren Tavern on Watling Street honours Sir Christopher and marks a part of London where most of his great work was done.
Indeed, when Sir Christopher died on February 25, 1723, he was buried in St Paul’s Cathedral, his gravestone features the Latin inscription Si monumentum requiris circumspice which translates as: ‘If you seek his monument, look around you.’
The chefs have designed a menu offering classic food that is big on flavour using the best in British ingredients.
In the daytime there are fresh sandwiches that change daily, a bar snacks menu which includes fresh Oysters with lemon, perfect for accompanying after work drinks. In the evenings the chefs will elevate the offerings with steaks, at butcher’s block pricing marked up on chalkboards.
This year UP&B have already opened several sites including Spitalfields pub The Gun and The Red Setter located in the Northcote Road community between Battersea and Clapham and recently announced the acquisition of 11 locations from the former Antic Pub Company.
Urban Pubs & Bars was founded in 2014 by Nick Pring and Malc Heap and has grown to an estate of pubs, bars and restaurants across London, including pubs Nest, Bishopsgate, The Wheatsheaf, Tooting, The Gatehouse, Highgate and restaurants the Salt Yard Group.
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